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ABOLITIONISJ>I EXPOSED 



CORRECTED. 



BY A PHYSICIAN, 

Fonnprly RuBidentoflhe Soulh. 



mz 



A PLAN 



ABOLISHING THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY AND ITS 

AUXILIARIES. 



BY A TENNESSEEAN. 






PHILADELPHIA : 

J. SHARP, 325 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 
1838. 






nr 



ABOLITIONISM EXPOSED 



CORRECTED. 



BY A PHYSICIAN, 

Foriiiprly Ursidenl nf the South. 



A PLAN 



ABOLISHING THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY AND ITS 
AUXILIARIE.S. 



BY A TENNESSEEAN. 



PHILADELPHIA : 

J. SHARP, 226 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 
1838. 



E AY 



CupyrigJit secured according to Jaixc, 



f. P- Obe.>r- k<i\t'l. «.) 



PREFACE 



It may be considered a work of supererogation to attempt to ex- 
pose Abolitionism any further than has been done by the able 
author of " Abolitionism Exposed," a gentleman who had the bold- 
ness to come forward, single-handed and alone, as champion against 
a host of abolitionists, and boldly proclaimed he would prove the 
"principles of abolitionism injurious to the slaves themselves, dan- 
gerous to this nation, and contrary to the express commands of God." 
But being deprived of the privilege of meeting them in public de- 
bate by the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, and " convinced that the 
best interests of the country and of common humanity itself are in- 
volved in the question of abolitionism," he has, with the prompt- 
ness of the true patriot, published a large pamphlet, developing at 
considerable length, with his usual profundity and eloquence, the 
pernicious tendency of these obnoxious principles. The only apo- 
logy which the writer of this pamphlet offers for retouching the sub- 
ject is, his having travelled and resided in the south, which have 
given him opportunities for the personal observation of slavery, 
which it is presumed the learned author of Abolitionism Exposed 
has not enjoyed. 

It would seem, from the silence of the abolitionists since Dr. 
Sleigh wrote his work, that they are all killed oflf, or at least stricken 
dumb. Else why have they not answered it ? Does it not look 
rather suspicious for men, who pretend to be lovers of truth, and 
are frequently prating about free discussion, to shrink from discus- 
sion when an opportunity is offered them ? They certainly cannot 
plead for excuse, that the work of a gentleman who has frequently 
signalized himself in public debate, and is also celebrated in the lite- 
rary and scientific world, is not of sufficient importance to merit a 
reply from them. The only legitimate conclusion is, that they can- 
not answer it, — that it has completely used them up ; and they 
have not a word to say for themselves. The writer of these pages 
waited a long time in vain, to see a reply to Dr. S. ; but from their 



silence, he thought it unnecessary, especially lor him, to take up 
the cudgel against a dispersed and vanquished sect; but recent in- 
formation has convinced him that abolitionists are like a certain 
species of animals, -vvhieh must be killed at least nine times before 
they will stay killed. For notwithstanding they have l)een, in dif- 
ferent parts of the country, knocked down and dragged out, and 
burnt out of their own Pennsylvania Hall, it is said that a new 
and prolifiic generation of at least ten thousand has sprung up, 
Phenix like, from their ashes in Philadelphia ; and that in all parts 
of the country, they are even now promulgating their pestiferous 
doctrines, so that they are becoming powerfully terrific. Therefore, 
though the author of this pamphlet is no champion, slaveholder, nor 
member of any abolition society, he deems an apology imnecessary 
for presuming to compete with the celebrated champion for a few 
of the spoils of conquest. 

July, 1838. 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER I. Difference between Words and Things. Slavery not to be condemned 
on account pf its abuse any more than Liberty or Christianity. False statements of 
Abolitionists. Their recklessness of Truth, proof that their system is erroneous. 
The slaves as incapable of taking care of themselves as Lunatics, - . - 5 

CHAPTER n. Alwlilionists rersKs Colonizationists. Expose of W. L. Garrison. "If 
Abolitionism is to bo supporleJ, then the principles of Washington must be aban- 
doned." 9 

CHAPTER in. Design of Europe to dissolve the Union. Circulationof incendiary pam- 
phlets, &c. by Aboliliouisls, which has produced worse treatment of Uie Slaves, 15 

CHAPTER IV. Practical results of Alxilition fully carried out, - - - 21 

CHAPTER V. " Where there is no law there is no transgression." The Bible sanc- 
tions slavery, and does not condemn purchasing or selling men. Commands every 
Slave t»i remain a Slave. ..----•--26 

CHAPTER VI. Happiness of the Slaves. A fatal objection to Abolitionism, - 30 

CHAPTER MI Education and Morality of Slaves, Sentiments of Slaveholders, 

Conclusion. ..-.....-.34 

pan for U»e Abolition of Anti-slavery Societies, ... - - 



36 



ABOLITIONISM EXPOSED CORRECTED. 



CHAPTER I 



Difference between Words and Things. Slavery not to be condemned, on ac' 
count ofiis abuse, any more than Liberty or Chriitianity. False Statements 
of Molitionist'i. Their liecklessness of Truth, Proof that their System is- 
erroneous. The Slaves as incapable of taking care of themselves as Lunatics. 

Dr. Sleigh introduces his subject, in Chapter I. witli the follow- 
ing trite remarks : 

" Mankind has ever been disposed to be carried away with 
names and words, — with the representation of things rather than 
with things themselves ; and that portion of mankind tlms apt to be 
deceived by mere sound, is generally the most innocent, — the best, 
— tlie most unsuspecting, — the most cliaritable : these verv qualities 
rendering them the easy victims of design and imprudence." 

He might have added, Therefore let all persons examine thin'^s 
themselves, and not be deceived by mere words ; so that they may act 
from an eiilightened judgment, rather than from a blind zeal created 
by the crafty and designing, and take care that they aie not used 
as mere 'cat's-paws' to subserve the interests of such persons. 

" Liberty," he says, " is a glorious term ; so is christirmity : 
but under the sacred garb of both one and the other, the foulest 
deeds have been and may be perpetrated ! Under the name of 
Christianity, the holy crusades, in wliich thousands were slain, were 
instituted and carried on by Englishmen ; and under the name of 
Liberty, men, women and children were slaughtered by Frenchmen." 

Could he not have added. And under the name of liberty millions 
of human beings have been kept in bondage ? " Be not, therefore, 
carried away by sounds, by mere words.'' The doctor's advice here 
is certainly very good, and gives an earnest of the candid manner 
in which he designs to treat the subject, and that he does not wish 
any one to be carried away by the mere sound of his words. 

3 



And now it is hoped that the reader will pay attention to the 
words of Dr. Sleigh, which, as coming from a champion against 
Abolitionists, may be very useful in silencing fanatics and amalga- 
mationists. It is hoped that you will read all his statements, and do 
them justice, as I desire to do. 

In speaking of slaveiy, he asks : 

*' Is the abuse of a system a just cause of condemnation ? Do vou 
say it is ; then the system of appreniiceship — of guardianship — of 
matrimony — liberty and Christianity themselves ought to be con- 
demned ; for they all have been abused ; all have had the most 
cruel, tyrannical, and satanic acts committed un-Ier their names ! 
Therefore according to the argument by which you would have 
slavery ccjndemned, you would have liberty, Christianity and matri- 
mony banished from the earth ! You cannot get out of the dilemma 
— there is no possible alternative ; if slavery is to be condemned 
because it has been abused, so are liberty and Christianity ! Out of 
thine own mouth thou art condemned !" 

After this who sli;;!! dare to condemn sla^-ery ! Some have even 
gone so far as to call it a Sin .' but the doctor shows the absurdity 
of this idea by reference to scripture. According to his reason- 
ing (which all must admit is very logical), slavery is to be ranked 
among heaven's choicest blessittgs, as further proof of which he 
might have added, that the Israe'.it -s, the chosen people of God, had 
the boon granted to them during many years, and were only de- 
prived of it by. the accidental circumstances of mimerous plagues, 
pestilences, and scourgings, which the Egyptians were foolish 
enough to believe were scut upon themselves for retaining these 
slaves among them. 



False Statements cf .IhoUtionists. Tkelv Itecklesisnesii of Tiuth, Proof that 
their i'j'i-t'm is erroneous. 

•' A total recklessness of truth, is a remarkable feature m the 
arguments adopted by the advocates of abolitionism ; while they 
give no cictlit to the statements of those dificring from thorn ! they 
nnblusliinirly assert that all elaveholdcrs are tyrants and cruel! 
Does truth require falsehood to make it conquer ? Ou^ht not these 
preposterous misstatements to open the eyes of the public to the real 
character and motive of those men ? The cause of God they cannot 
be advocating, for his cause requires not the weapons of Satan I 
Error invariably stands in need of lies for its support," 



It is true I never before heard that " they unbiiishinglv assert 
that a// slaveholders are cruel," yet the doctor says so, and what is 
the use of his spending time to prove this and the preceding modest 
little item, " a total recklessness of truth," &c. ; but as inferential evi- 
dence, although not exactly in order, I shall place here a really can- 
did confession of the doctor, with which the above paragraph may 
be compared. He says, 

" Let not abolitionists at large mistake me. I do not intend to 
accuse them directly or indirectly of impure motives, — quite the 
reverse; 1 do really believe all the abolitionists, with very few 
exceptions, are the best and most moral and philanthropic men 
in America ; and are actuated by the purest motives of donig good 
to all, relieving the oppressed and crushing tyranny." 

Some persons of a sceptical turn of mind may be disposed to 
cavil and inquire — AVhy is it that " the best and most moral men in 
America, such as are actuated by the purest motives," should have 
this " total recklessness of truth," and how these men can be so 
pure and good, if they are using ''falsehoods, which are the wea- 
pons of Satan, — error invariably stands in need of lies for its sup- 
port." Such sceptics, however, deserve no other answer than this : 
You want to know too much, even more than your teacher ! If 
your " eyes" do not yet begin " to open" by these *' preposterous 
misstatements to real motives," you certainly need couching. 

The Slaves as incapable of t akin i^- care of themselves as Lunatics, 
Again, the doctor asks, 

" Would opening the doors of a lunatic asylum, and lotting free 
the patients thereof, be an act of kindness, or friendship towards 
them ? You reply, Certainly not I Yet this would be grantmg them 
immediate liberly-'-this would be pure abolitionism ! 

" But you rejoin, The condition of the persons — their mental ina- 
bilities disqualify them for liberty till they are cured — till they can 
take care of tiiomselves — till there is no danger of their doing vio- 
lence to others ; therefore, keeping them confined, till then, is 
in fact an act of kindness towards them ; and the opposite course 
would be most injurious to them ! Thank you, kind reader, these 
are identically the same reasons I give for not advocating the imme- 
diate emancipation of the slaves. I give you full credit for the 
wisdom and propriety of your reasons ; be so liberal as to grant me 



the same indulgence — to give me the same credit for the sincerity 
of my actions. 

" It is probable abolitionists will reply, that the condition of the 
slaves and of the inmates of a lunatic asylum is very diflcrent. I 
ans'ver, without fear of rontradiction, that as far as mental incapa- 
bility, the vast mass of the slaves are as incapable of taking care of 
themselves, as the great propoition of lunatics, and this we shall 
fully demonstrate in a subsequent chapter." 

It is found, however, on close examination, that he has not 
brought the least proof; on this point it is, therefore, charitable to 
suppose it has slipped his memory. 

The doctor tells us, it is an act of kindness in the slaveholders 
to hold their slaves till they are instri'cted and qualified for freedom ; 
but instruction shows them, more plainly, the deprivation of their 
rights, and makes them of course more unhappy while in slavery, 
and more likely to rebel or run away. They cannot, therefore, 
be educated till they are set free, and they cannot be set fiee till 
they are educated. Pray, when, according to the doctor's logic, will 
they ever be emancipated ? 

He tells us, in another place, that the negroes have no natural in- 
feriority to the whites ; then their being " as incapable of taking 
care of themselves as lunatics," is simply owing to their want of 
intellectual and moral culture. In page 55, of his pamphlet, he 
makes the following assertion, which if it do not prove the above 
proposition of his, will at least serve to show the doctor's consis- 
tency. 

" Another calumny circulated is respecting the ignorance and 
irrcUgio)! in which the slaveholders keep their slaves. This is as 
great a falsehood as was ever uttered by man or devils." 

Which of his assertions would he have us believe, — that the 
slaves are ignorant and irreligious, or that they are not I But as 
many people profess to believe that the slaves are incapable of 
taking care of themselves, and urge this plea against immediate 
emancipation, I think proper to bring forward some testimony, not 
mere assertion or speculation, but actual experiment, to show 
what foundation there is in fact for this belief. The testimony 
which I shall adduce is from the planters and former slaveholderi 
in one of the British West India islands, Antigua, where emanci- 
pation was immediate, full, and complete. I shall not, at present, 



go into the general effects of abolition in this island, or the West 
Indies generally, but ccnfine myself to the point in question, viz. 
" That the vast mass of slaves are as incapable of taking care of 
themselves as the great proportion of lunatics." Then what is the 
evidence cf the improvidence of the slaves : 

" During slaven,', the negroes squandered every cent of money thfy got, 
because they were sure of food and clothing. Since their f.ecdom they have 
begun to cultivate habits of carefulness and economy.' — Mr, James Howell. 

* The low wages of the labourers [emancipated negroes] is proof of their pro- 
vidence. Did thej' not observe the .sstrictest economy tliey could not live on fifty 
cents per week. That they buy small parcels of land to cultivate, is proof of 
their economy and foresight. The planters have to resort to every means in 
thi'ir power to induce them not to purchase land. The increasing and large 
sums of money paid into the fiieniUy societies since emancipation, the increasing 
attention paid to their provision grounds, is further proof of tlieir foresight.'— 
Dr. Daniells. 

' The fact that the negroes are able to support their aged parents, is further 
proof,' said Mr. Armstrong. 

' The negroes are exceedingly quick to turn a thought. They show a great 
deal of shrewdness in everything which concerns their own interests ; to 
a stranger it must be utterly incredible how they can manage to live on such 
small wages. They are very exact in keeping their accounts with the managers. 
The emancipated people manifest as much cunning and address in business aa 
any class of persons.' — Mr. J. Howel. 

• The capabilities of the blacks for education are conspicuous ; so also as to 
mental acquirements and trades.' — Hon. N. Nugent. 

' It is a little remarkable, that while Americans fear that the negroes, if eman- 
cipated, coitid not take care of themselves, the West Indians fear lest they should 
take care of themselves. Hence they discourage them from buying lands, and 
from all employments which might render them independent cf sugar cultiva- 
tion.' — Thome & Kimball. 

Much more testimony might be brought, of the same character, 
but if there should be any doubt of the slaves being able to take 
take care of themselves, it will be fully removed when subsequently 
the general effects of emancipation aie shown. 



10 



CHAPTER II. 

M»litiotiisis \ersua Colonizationisis. Expose of }V, L. Garvhov. '■• Jf Aho- 
litior.ism is to be supported, then the Pri7iciplcs of IVnshiiiffton must be aban- 
doned." Dn. Sleigh. 

It i" not intended of course to comment on every para^apli of 
Dr. Sleigh's pamphlet, — it would take too much room ; but every 
argument or assertion, which is considered of any consequence 
in the support of his positions, shall be correctly quoted. 

In the doctor's second chapter we read as follows : 

" As abolitionists are constantly taunting the friends of coloniza- 
tion witli the charge that the founders of it were slaveholders (which, 
by the by, like almost all their other statements, as will be shown 
in a subsequent chapter,* is destitute of truth,) they cannot complain 
of their opponents taking a peep into the principles of some of their 
chief champions and promoteis of abolitionism." 

Then commences his expose of William Lloyd Garrison, Esq, 
I shall not stop to inquire who Avere the founders of the Colonir 
cation Society, as it is not my purpose to widen the breach between 
societies whose objects, though a little different, are prompted by 
good motives. But I beg leave here just to observe, that I think 
it must be very gratifying to slaveholders to see these societies 
spending their energies in endeavouring to demolish each other, 
instead of uniting their strength to destroy the monster slavery. 
No doubt slaveholders and pro-slavery men try to widen the 
breach between them as much as possible. 
The Doctor tells us in another phice, that 

" The vast majority of the slaveholders regret the necessity of 
holdiuii slaves, are anxious to have them emancipated, and would 
hail with delight any plan by means of which ihev could emanci- 
pate them with safety to themselves and safety to the slaves." 

Then why do they not " hail m ith delight" the Colonization 
Society, and all become colonizationists? That many slaveholders 

• The Doctor has refeireJ all his proofs to a " siibsegue?it chapter," and not- 
withstanding the greater pait of his pamphlet is made up of extracts, yet he has 
not found room for this " subsequent chapter." We are therefore, unfortunately, 
loft entirely without proof of all hi:^ most important aswirtions. 



11 

nre friendly to tlie Colonization Society, is nn undeniable fact ; but 
that the vast majority of ihein would be willing to have their slaves 
sent out of the corintry, I cannoft for a moment believe. They 
want their labour, and cannot cultivate their plantations without it. 

1 have, indeed, conversed with slaveholders who said they would 
willingly set their slaves free, if the laws of their state allowed it. 
These were probably conscience-smitten christians ; they had made 
the calculation, and found the maintenance of the old and infirm of 
their slaves, paying all their doctors' bills, feeding and clothmg and 
•supporting the children and superannuated, to be moie expensive 
than to hire the labour performed by the healthy adults. 

I have known other planters, who have had more slaves die from 
bad treatment, and have lost more in one year by tlie destruction of 
their cotton set on lire by the slaves in revenge for abuses, than 
would have paid for the labour performed by them for -i:any years. 
Besides, it cannot be doubted that niaiiy of (hem feel unsafe, and 
the practice of carrying deadly weapons, whicli are so often used on 
each other as well as the slaves, is a pioof of their dread of assas- 
smatioii. Many, therefore, it must be admitted — some from con- 
scientious scruples, others from motives of economy, and others 
from feeling that slavery is a state of peril, — v/ould prefer slavery to 
be abolished ; but public sentiment in the South, I presurnd, is yet 
against abolition, and therefore the abolition slaveholder^ (if it be 
not a paradox) dare not openly avow their sentiments, 'i'hat 
" the vast majortfy of them are anxious to have them emancipated," 
1 think is saying a Utile too niKch, because as slavery is a statr 
concern, and the majority make the laws, that majority might 
abolish slavery. As it regards the safety of emancipation, is it not 
a most ridiculous iiotion, that the slaves would cut their masters* 
throats for giving them what above all things on earth they desire 
most, their freedom 1 They well know, that whde depriving them 
of liberty and every thing they hold dear, treating them as beasts, 
and by their savage torturing oftentimes driving them to desperation, 
there is danger of assassination : but what earthly motive could the 
negro have to murder his master for granting him liberty ? Would 
he not rather be actuated by motives of gratitude and kindness to- 
wards his master? The whole history of the world, the late eman- 
eipation in the West Indies, reason and common senee, all declare 



12 

that slaves are nut made worse by emancipation, but intinitely better; 
then what shadow of reason is there in the assertion, " that the 
slaveholders would set their slaves free if they could do it with 
safety." 

There might be some inconvenience apprehended, when but a 
few are set free among slaves, because they might sympathize so 
much with their abused, wronged, and outraged brethren, as to ex- 
cite insurrection ; besides, the slaves would perhaps become more 
discontented, from seeing blacks around them enjoying freedom. 

These are probably the reasons which gave rise to the laws pro- 
hibiting the emancipation of the slaves, unless they be sent out of 
the flave country. They much prefer having them sent to Africa 
than to the non-slaveholding states, where they would expose their 
masters, and proclaim the hcrrors of slavery. 

Hence many slaveholders are friendly to the Colonization So- 
ciety, because it takes off those who arc set free, and the refractory 
spirits, or in other words, such as will not calmly submit to be, and 
to see their fellows, used worse than brutes. And so far as the 
Colonization Society operates in this way, it is very agieeable to 
some. Other planters oppose the Colonization Society, because it 
sometimes sympathizes too much with the slave, because some of 
this Society look upon slavery as a sin, as inhuman, and have not 
always defended the slaveholder. So long then as the Colonization 
Society does not condemn sluery in too strong terms, — does not 
sympathize too much with the slave, and does nothing more than 
send oil' those who chance to be set free, especially if they will not 
tell them slavciy is wrong, unjust, and sinful ; but most of all, if 
they get excited and denounce abolitionists, — slaveholders will bid 
them God speed, and even give them a doubloon* occasionally, to 
encourage them on. 

Slaveholders do not object generally to the Colonization So- 
ciety, because it does not strike at the root of their favourite tree ; 
it only takes off a few superfluous twigs, prunes it and makes it 
thrive ; and the colonizationisls with their pruning hooks help to keep 

• A Reverend pentleman when making a speech at a colonization meeting in 
the Musical Fund Hall, denounced the abolitionists with such vcliemence and 
enthusiasm, that ho won great applause, and pleasexl a southern gentleman so 
much, that he presented him witli a doubloon- 



13 

off the abolitionists, who with their axes of truth are trying to get 
at it to cut it down. Some suppose the Colonization Society is 
doing all that can be done with safety ; hence it prevents them from 
doing any thing effectual ; and this slavery men well know. For 
when it is considered that the yearly increase of the slaves is about 
sixty t/ioiisand, and the Colonization Society does not send off 
yearly Jive hundred, slaveholders may laugh at the idea of its doing 
away slavery, and say it is like dipping out the ocean with a tea- 
spoon. 

I am disposed to think, however, that the Colonization Society 
did much good before the formation of the American Anti-Slavery 
Society, by bringing the subject of slavery before the people; and 
were it now confined to the South, it might still do good, if con- 
ducted in the right way. It can penetrate wheie abolitionism would 
be martyred ; and I doubt not there are thousands now under that 
banner who are at heart full-blooded abolitionists ; and whose object 
is not merely to get up a contribution of a few dollars to send off a 
poor slave, but who feel a deep and abiding interest in the freedom 
and happiness of the whole race ; and such, no doubt, regret very 
much that any one, under the name of their Society, should try to 
prejudice the community against abolitionists. They know it 
is not the design of abolitionists to excite the slave against his 
master — that this would only aggravate his misery — and that no- 
thing could be more impolitic, for the furtherance of their cause, than 
to " exhort and encourage the slaves to disobedience, insubordina- 
tion and rebellion ;" and who will believe that abolitionists do this, 
although Dr. Sleigh repeatedly asserts it? He ought to have given 
a few examples or proofs, but it is probable these are contained in 
his " subsequent chapter.'''' 

We will now attend, for a few minutes, to Mr. Garrison. 

Dr. Sleigh asserts that Mr. Gariison " was sent to Europe a few 
years ago as the representative of the American Anti-Slavery So- 
ciety, and that he spoke the sentiments of those who sent him." 

In the first place, it is not true that Mr. Garrison " was sent to 
Europe as the representative of the American Anti-Slavery Society." 
He went to England, to be sure, some years ago, but it wa.s before 
the formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society ; so that this 
Society has nothing to do with what Mr. Garrison said in England. 

3 



14 

If, while there, he said any thing obnoxious to Dr. S., Mr. Gairison 
alone is responsible for it. INIr. Garrison is by no means the vocal 
organ of the American Anti-Slavery Society, and probably most 
of the abolitionists do not agree with him in views of expedi- 
ency, and do not consider themselves responsible for every thing 
he says, any more than all good christians are responsible for the 
assertions of Dr. Sleigh. 

Again, he asserts that Mr. Garrison " poured forth abuse on the 
memory of TVashinglon in Pennsylvania Hall." If Mr. Garrison 
did this, he was very foolish indeed; for next to holy wiit, I con- 
sider the principles of Washington most to be revered. But, on 
inquiry, I have ascertained that this, like many other statements of 
the Doctor, has no foundation ; and that not a word was spoken in 
the Hall, disrespectful of Washington, by any one. 

To show the improbability of abolitionists abusing his memory, 
and also to disprove another important assertion, I shall here give 
the principles of Washington on the subject of slavery : 

In aletter of President Washington to Robert Morris, he says, in 
reference to slavery, " There is not a man living who wishes more 
sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it;" 
and speaking of the legislative authority on the subject, " and this, 
as far as my suffrage will go, shall not be wanting." 

In a letter to Lafayette he says, in reference to his purchasing an 
estate with a view of emancipating the slavc>, " This is a generous 
and noble proof of your hum\nity. Would to God a like spirit 
might diffuse itself into the minds of the people of this country ; 
but I despair of seeing it." 

In a letter to John F. Mercer, he says, " It being among my first 
wishes to see some plan adopted by which slavery in this country 
can be abolished by law." 

" A toast by General Washington in the hospital at White Plains : 

' Health to the sick and woiimlcd, honour to the brave, 
Success to the American flag, and freedom to the slate.'" 

By a reference to W^ashington's will, it will be seen that he gave 
directions for the emancipation of his slaves. Therefore, it is 
proved that Wnshington was both in principle :mi\ practice an aboli- 
tionist. What then shall be thought of the following assertion of 



15 

Dr. Sleigh ? " If abolitionism is to be supported, then the principles 
of Washington must be abandoned." 



CHAPTER III. 



Det'gn 'if Europe to dissolve the Union. Circulation of incendiary Pamphlett, 
&c. by .ibolitionisls, which has produced -worse Treatment of the Slaves. 

" Know you not that Europe is looking on these states with a 
jealous eye ? Weie plans never devised by European powers to 
divide the friends of liberty, — to break up unions, and crush that 
goddess (Liberty) who ever haunts the bed of tyrants ?" 

Crush liberty, by crushing slavery, what a paradox! 

It is admitted that England has shown some interest on the sub- 
ject of American abolitionism ; but let us look into her motives, and 
see if she can have such a design as our author has hinted at. Until 
a few years ago, England herself had been guilty of slaveholding in 
her West India Colonies. She abolished her slavery there, and 
what has been the result ? Peace, happiness, and prosperity to 
slaves and masters. Abolition was as vehemently opposed by the 
slaveholders in her colonies, as it could be in any other country ; 
they declared it would bring death and destruction upon them and 
the slaves ! but so far from such consequences, it was productive of 
the most universal happiness to all parties, which will be hereafter 
proved by documentary evidence. Now is it not fair to infer, that 
England, having seen the good effects of abolition in her own colo- 
nies, wishes, from phdanthropic motives, that slavery be abolished 
in the United States, for the good of slaves and masters ? Moreover, 
EnglaiKl is the principal purchaser of the cotton produced by the 
slaves in the United States ; her interest would, therefore, operate 
against anything that would directly tend to raije the price of that 
staple commodity, which abolition would be sure to do, if the ne- 
groes should not work as well as before, or if it should cost more 
to raise cotton by free labour. But the fact of her having tried the 
experiment of emancipation herself, and found it to have produced 
incalculable good, is at least presumptive evidence that she doea 



1(1 

not wish the United States to adopt it for the sake of biiiiging evil 
upon them. But if it were the design of foreign powers to destroy 
and " break up unions, * what characters wotild most hkely be em- 
ployed ?" such as the gentleman has admitted abolitionists are, " the 
best, most moral, and most philanthropic men in America, and such 
as are actuated by the purest motives ?" 

• Dissolving the Union is the bugbear which the South has long held up to the 
North, to frighten her from her duty and her rights : 

" But you may reply, ' Do you think the South is not in earnest in her threat 
of dissolving t!ic Union? I rejoin, by no means; — yet she pursues a perfectly 
reasonable course — (leaving out of view the justice or morality of it) — just such a 
course as I should expect she would pursue, emboldened as she must be by her 
multiplied triumphs over the ]\orth, by the use of the same weapon. ' We'll 
dissolve tlie Union !' was the cry, ' unless Missouri be admitted !' The North 
were frightened, and Missouri was admitted with !s!averi/ engraved on her fore- 
head. ' M^e'll dissolve the Union !' unless the Indians be driven out of the >'outh ! 
The north forgot her treaties, parted with humanity, and it is done — the defence- 
less Indians are forced to " consent" to be driven out, or they arc left, undefended 
fo the mercies of southern land-jobbers and gold-hunters. ' We'll dissolve the 
Union ! if the Tariff, (established at her own suggestion,) be not repealed or 
modified, so that our slave-labour may compete with your free-labour.' The Tariff 
is accordingly modified to suit the south. ' We'll dissolve the Utiion !" unK-s? 
the fiecdom of speech and the press be put down in the north ! !' With tlie 
promptness of commission-merchants, the alternative is adopted. Public assem- 
blies, met for deUbcration, are assailed and broken up at the north ; her citizens 
are stoned, and beaten, and dragged through the streets of her cities ; her presses 
are attacked by mobs, instigated and led on by men of influence and character ; 
whilst those concerned in conducting them arc compelled to flv fiom their homes, 
pursued as if they were noxious wild beasts; or if they remain to defend, they 
are sacrificed to appease the .-outhern divinity. ' We'll dissolve the Unioi !' if 
slavery be abolished in the District of Columbia ! The north, frightened from 
her propriety, dedares that slavery ought not t:) be abolished there now. ' We'll 
dissolve the Union !' if you read petitions from your constituents for its abolition, 
or for stopping the slave-trade at the Capital, or between the states. Fifty 
NoriTHEUN RKi>iir.sr.NTATTVEs respond to the cry, 'down then witli the hight 
o? pr.TiTio.v ! !' All these assaults have succeeded, because the north has 
betn frightened by the war-cry, ' IfVll dinsolvj the Union /' 

After achieving so much by a process so simple, why should not the south per- 
sist in it when shi- strives for further conquests] Ko other course ought to be 
expected from her till this has failed. And it is not at all improbable that she will 
persist, till she almost persuades herself that she is serious in her menace to dis- 
solve the Union. She mny, in her eagerness, even approach so near the verge 
of dissolution, thr.t the earth may give way under her feet, and she be dashed in 
ruins in the gulf below. 

" Nothing will more surely arrest her fury, than the firm aiTay of the north, 
setting up anew the almost forgotten principles of onr fathers, and saying fo the 
'dark spirit of slavery,' 'thus far shalt thou go, and no liirthcr.' This is the 
bc.-t — the only means — of saving the south fiom the fruits of her own folly — 
folly that has been so long, and so strangely encouraged by the noith, th'.it it has 
grown into intoleiable arrogance — downright presumption." — Jiimes G. Tlirveii, 
Etq. 



17 



The Doctor tells us, that 



"The means ndoptecl by the Abolilionists to accomplish their 
object are, the publication and circulation of vast numliers of papers 
and pamphlets, by way of enlightening the slave and slaveholder; 
but which consist, for the most part, of exhortations and encourage- 
ment to the slaves to disobedience, insubordination and rebellion. 
This advice is coupled wiih the most gallinsr denunciations and 
threats towards the slaveholder. And since that society commenced 
its distribution of incendiary papers and pamphlets, many of the 
slaveholders have prevented their slaves learninor to real ; so that 
if slaves were before bound with fitters of hemp, the abolitionists 
have converted the hemp into iron." 

It will be recollected that the Doctor has previously staled, " that 
as far as mental incapabilitv, tlu vast mass of the slaves are as in- 
capal)le of taking care of themselves as the great proportion of lu- 
natics." 

I ask the why ? Does he not mean, because they are so ignoiant 
and uneducated ? He says as much in another part of his work. 
I have before cited some proofs that the negroes are not wanting in 
natural sense, and that they are fully able to take care of them- 
selves when set free; but I do admit that the vast mass of the 
slaves are very ignorant, and do not know how to read. I speak 
from my own observation ; for in travelling in most of the slave 
states, and while residing some months in several of the most 
southern, among the thousands I saw, I did not ascertain that more 
tha,i two or three could read. In some neighbourhoods, in certain 
states, there may be some who arc taught, but as a general thing, 
they have no learning. Then how are the slaves to get a know- 
ledge of these incendiaiy pamphlets and " encouragements to in- 
surrection" which they contain ? Are the masters such fools as to 
r^ad them to their slaves? Every one who has been or resided in 
the south knows the guards upon speech, and even upon post 
offices, so that it is next to an impossibility for the slaves to get a 
knowledge of such pamphlets, if even such were published. 

In some parts of the south, Louisiana for instance, it is against 
the law for a white man to give a slave a piece of paper without 
his master's permission. He might be Lynclied for it, perhaps hung! 
But what evidence have we that the condition of the slaves has 
been made worse by abolilionists ? Our author would have it be- 



18 

lieved, that it is only since modern abolition societies sprung up, that 
slaves have been debarred from instruction. "What reason is there 
for such a belief? If masters were ever in the habit of schooling 
their slaves, when or at Avhat age would they most likely do it ? 
Would it be at an age when tlieir services were valuable ; or would 
it not rather be in childhood, when they could do but little work? 
In childhood, of course. Well, it is only a few years since (1832) 
that these societies commenced their career ! Consequently, all 
advdts, and the greater part of youth, would have had the opportu- 
nity of being taught before the American Anti-Slavery Society ex- 
isted, and would now be able to read ; it w ould be only children 
that would now have no learning, m consequenie of laws passed since 
the formation of the Anti-Slavery Society. But the fact of the va-t 
mass of the .slaves having no learning, is a proof that whether there 
were laws against it or not, they were not in the practice of instruct- 
in"" them. And it matters very little to an innocent man, whether 
he is murdered without law, or according to a law which a set of 
men have formed for his destruction ! 

The fact is, laws existed in the past century prohibiting slaves 
from being taught, and so they do now ; but public opinion was al- 
ways nearly or quite as much against giving them learning, as at 
present ; for the following reasons : If slaves were learned to 
read, they could learn geography, and leain to write, so that they 
could write themselves certificates or passes, and readily get oft". 
Besides, cultivating his mind would make him more sensibly feel 
the -injustice of slavery; and as knowledge is power, he would of 
course be a more dcmgcroiis animal in tlieir hands. For though 
the negroes, as a people, arc the most mild and foi bearing of any 
on the face of the globe, it is reasonable to suppose, that were they 
r.s well educated as whites of our country generally, they could not 
be kept in bondage. And if they are to continue in slavery, I sin- 
cerely think it is humanity as well as policy not to instruct them. 
True, they iiave the light of reason and the love of liberty which 
are inherent, and though many of them weep and mourn over tlieir 
sad fate, yet they do not generally realize so much mental sufl'ering 
as if they were enlightened. It was, therefore, motives of policy, 
which have always existed, which have prevented them from teach- 
ing the slaves, and not the dread of abolitionists. 



19 

That the slaves are treated worse, in any respect, since abolition 
societies commenced, is not supported by reason or facts. Slave- 
holders know that their conduct is more inspected now than former- 
ly ; and for fear of giving grounds for abolitionists to hold up their 
conduct in an unenviable light and expose it to the world, they 
are, if any thing, more careful how they treat their slaves. This 
may be corroborated by reference to an analogous case of the ef- 
fects of abolition proceedings in the West Indies. 

• The trratment of the slaves, during the anti-slaver}' discussion m England, 
was manifestly milder than before.' — Dr. Diriieli. 

' The effect of the proceedings in parli.iment against slavery, was to make the 
slaveholders treat the slaves bcUer — milder laws were passe I by the assembly, 
and the general condition of the slave was greatly ameliorated. — H. Armstrong, 
Esq 

' The planters did not, as a general thing, increase the rigor of their discipline 
because of the anti-slavery discussions, but were generally more lenient than for- 
merly. — S. Bourne, Esq. 

' We pursued a much milder policy toward our slaves after ths agitation began 
in England.' — Mr. James Howell. 

' The planters did not treat their slaves worse on account of the anti-slavery 
discussions ; but were more lenient and circumspect — Hon. N. Nugent. 

' There was far less cruelty exercised by the i)lanters during the anti-slavery 
excitement in England. They were always on their guard to escape the notice 
of the abolitionists ; they did not wish to have their names published abroad, 
and to be exposed as monsters of cruelty.' — David Cianstown, Esq. * 



CHAPTER IV. 

Practical Bi'sults of Aholitionism fully carried out. 

We now come to that part of the Doctor's pamphlet which is the 
most important of all, to wit : The practical results of aboli- 
tion FULLY CARRIED OUT. 

This affords the finest specimen of the Doctor's fruitful fancy. 
I should be pleased to transcribe his picture, so that the reader 
might view it in all its brightness and beauty, but unfortunately 

* The above is the testimony of former slaveholders of Antigua. 



20 

have not room. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that all the evils, 
horrors, cruelties, enormities, bloodshed and carnage, it is possible 
for the mind of man to conceive, he conjures up as the result of this 
dreadful catastrophe, tlie freedom of the slaves ! The finishing touch 
of his picture is as follows: 

" Her ever-constant companion, Pestilence, now attends, and 
thousands and thousands die of want and disease, cnllin.^ down from 
heaven eternal curses on the heads of those who excited them to 
rebellion, the AboWionhts ! Take a view of the subject in any 
possible way; let the blacks conquer, or let him be conquered, 
ruination to him is the inevitable residt, totally independent of the 
awful calamities to which the white population would be subjected. 
Here is a two-horned dilemma," &c. 

The reader will observe, however, tliat the Doctor does not 
make this horrible picture as the result of emancipation, but of 
" rebellion.'''' 

Should slavery continue in the states much longer, there is really 
danger to be apprehended from their rising in mass to free them- 
selves ; for it is a moral certainty, that the rapid increase of the 
slaves over the white population, will make them greatly superior 
in numerical streni^th, in no great lentrth of time ; and then some 
of the evils above alluded to, if emancipation be not soon effected, 
may be realized. 

I am aware, however, that many persons believe, or profess to 
believe, that immediate emancipation is unsafe, and fraught with 
the most dangerous consequences to masters and slaves. This may 
be considered the grand popular objection to abolitionism. But it 
may be well to bear in mind, not only the ostensible ground of op- 
position to abolitionism, but the real motives to it, to wit, pecuniary 
interest.* There is no doubt, at least in my mind, tliat the prmci- 
pal reasons why slaveholders oppose abolition, is imaginary self- 
interest, and love of power. 

I think the reader will perceive, from the facts I am about to offer, 
that they are mistaken, in abolition being against their interest. 
The old saying, that " Honesty is the best policy," would be em- 
phatically true in this case. 

• The Lord liavc mercy on the souls uf sucli men u lio, for the sake of paltry 
lucre, will lie against God and their own coM(*cienccs I 



21 

Though by emanripation they would relinquish their despotic 
power, they would be amply compensated by peace of mind, calm 
repose, exemption from dread of insurrection, an approving con- 
science, and the smiles of Heaven. And if the lights of reason 
and experience be not shut out, they show us that it is not against 
our interest to allow men to be men, and to enjoy those inalienable 
rights which " all nature cries aloud" are theirs ! 

The extracts which I shall now give, are from the report of the 
Rev. James A. Thome and Joseph H. Kimball, Esq. who were de- 
puted to the West Indies to make the proper investigations of the 
great experiment of abolition. Mr. Thome is a native, and still a 
resident, of Kenturky, and the son of a slaveholder : and Mr. Kim- 
ball was well known as an able editor in New Hampshire. Of 
course they were men in whom was reposed the fullest confidence 
to fill this important office. And no doubt has ever been publicly 
expressed with regard to the correctness of their statements. — 
Messrs. Thome and Kimball say, " these are not the sentiments of 
individuals alone, but are really the sentiments of the whole com- 
munity :" 

Suddenness of change in the condition of Slaves, and views of Planteis. 

Said Mr. Barnard, of Green Castle estate, " The transition from 
slavery to freedom, was like the passing suddenly out of a dark 
dungeon into the lioht of the sun." 

R. B. Eldriilge, Esq., a meml)er of the assembly, remarked that, 
" Tiiere never had lieen, in the history of the w«)ild, so great and in- 
stantaneous a change in the condition of so large a body of peo- 
ple." 

The Hon. Nicholas Nugent, speaker of the house of assembly, 
and proprietor, said, " There never was so sudden a transition from 
oi:e state to another, by so large a body of [.eople. Wlien the 
clock began to strike the hour of twelve on the last night of July, 
1834, th" negroes of Antigua were slaves — when it ceased they 
were all freemen! It was a stupendous change," he said, " ami it 
was one of the sublimest spectacles ever witnessed, to see the sub- 
jects of the change engaged, at the very moment it occurred, in 
worshipping God." 

These, and very many similar ones, were the spontaneous ex- 
pressions of men who had long contended against the change of 
which they spoke. 

Some time previous to the abolition of slavery, a meeting of the 
4 



22 

influential men of the island 'vas called in St. John's, to memorial- 
ize parliament against the measure of abolition. When the meeting 
convenetl, the Hon. Samuel O. Baijcr, who had been the oham' ion 
of the opposition, was called upon to propose a plan of procedure. 
To the con.-iternation of the pro-slaverj' meetiuir, their leader arose 
and spoke to the following' eflVcl : " Gentlemen, my previ')-.s senti- 
ments on this suliject are well known to you all ; be not surprised 
to learn that they have undeio-one an entire chang-e. I have not 
altered my views without mature deliberation. I have l)een makinfr 
calculations with regard to the pro'iahle results of emancipation, and 
/ have ascertained* bei/cnd a dni'.bt, that I can cid'ica'e my eJcfe 
at leant one-third cheappr by free labour, than ty slave labntir." 
After Mr. B. had finished his remarks, Mr. S. Shaiids, member of 
assembly, and a wealthy i<roprictor, observed that he enteitdned 
precisely the same views with those j\ist expressed ; b'lt he thought 
that the honourable gentleman had been unuise in uttering ihrm in 
so public a manner; "for," said he, " should these sentiments 
reach the ear of parliament, as coming from us, it might induce 
them to ivithhold the co \ pensafion.^^ 

Col. Edwards, member of the assembly, then arose and said, 
that he had long been opposed to slavery, but he had not dared to 
avow hi'i sentiments. 

As might be supposed, the meeting adjourned without effecting 
the. object for whicli it was convened. 

When the question r-nme l)efi»re the colonial assf^mbly, similar 
discussions ensued, and finally the bill for immediate emancipation 
passed both bodies unanimously. 

Slaves Turned Loose: 

For some lime previous to the first of August, forebodinffs of 
disaster lowered over tlie island. The day was fixed ! Thirty 
thousand degraded human beiiii^s were to be brouiihl forth frcm the 
dungeon of slavery, and "turned loose on the cnmnvmity !" and 
this was to be done " in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." 

Gloomy apprehensions were entertained bj- many of the plan- 
ters. Some timorous families did not so to bed on the night of the 
31st of .Inly; fear drove sleep from their eyes, and tliey awaited 
with fluttering pulse the hour of midnight, feaiing lest the same bell 
which sounded the jubilee of the slaves, might toll the death-ki.ell 
of ihe masters. 

The more intelligent, who understood the disposition of the ne- 
groes, and contemplated the natural tendencies of emancipation, 
through philosophical prin-iples, and in the light of human nature 
and history, were fiee from alarm. 

To convey to the reader some idea of the manner in which the 

• Experiment proved tliis caJcuintion to he truc> 



23 

great crisis passed, we give the substance of several accounts which 
were related to us in different parts of the island, by those who 
witnessed them. 

The Wes^leyans kopt " watch night," in all their chapels on the 
night of the 3 1st Jniy, One of the Wesleyan missionaries gave us 
an account of the watch-mt'eting at tlie cliapel in St. John's. The 
spacious house was filled with the candidates for liberty. All was 
animation and eagerness. A mighty chorus of voices swelled the 
song of expectation and joy, and as they united m prayer, the 
voice of the leader was drowned m the universal acclnmalions of 
thanksgiving and praise, and blessinsr, and honour, and glory to God, 
v\ ho had come ilown for tlieir deliverance. In such exercises the 
evening was spent, until the hour of twelve appioached. 'I'he mis- 
sionary then proposed, tliat when the clock on the cathedral should 
begiii to s'rike, the whole congregation should fall upon their knees 
and receive the boon of freedom in silence. Accordingly, as the 
lo id bell tolled its fiist note, the immense assembly fell prostrate on 
their knees. All was silence, save the quivering, half-stilled breath 
of t!ie struggling spirit. The slow notes of the clock fjll upon the 
multitude ; peal on peal, peal on peal, rolled over the prostrate 
throng, in tones of angel's voices, thrilling among the desolate 
chords and weary heart strings. Scarce had the clock sounded its 
last note, when tiie liirhtning Hashed vividly arouiul, and a loud peal 
of thunder roared along the sky — God's pillar of fire, and trump of 
jubilee ! A moment of profoundest silence passed — then came the 
burs/ — they broke forth in prayer; they shouted, thev sung, 
" Glory," " alleluia ;" they clapped then- hands, leaped up, fell 
down, clasped each other in their free arms, cried, laughed and 
went to and fro, tossing upward their u n fettered h:Huls ; but high 
above the whole there was a inighty sound, which ever and anon 
swelled up; it was the ulterings, in broken negro dialect, of grati- 
tude to Goii. 

After this gush of excitement hnd spent itself, and the conjrrpcra- 
tiou became calm, the religious exercises were resumed, rmd the re- 
mun ler of the nighi was occupied in singing and prayer, in reading 
ihe Bilile, and in addresses fiom th.e missionaries explaining th;' na- 
ture cf the freedom just received, and exhorting the freed people to 
be industrious, stei y, obedient to the laws, and to show themselves 
in all things worthy of the high boon which God had conferred 
upon them. 

Tiie first of August came on Friday, and a release was proclaim- 
ed from all work until the next Monday. The day was chiclly spent 
by die great mass of the negroes, in the churches and chapels. 
Thither they flocked " as clouds, and as doves to their windows." 
The clergy and missionaries throughout the island were actively en- 
gaged, seizing the opportunity, in order to enlighten tlie people oa 



24 

all the duties and responsibilities of their new relation, and above 
a'.l, urging them to the attainment of that higher liberty with 
which Christ maketh his children free. In every quarter we were 
assured that the day was like a Sabbath. Work had ceased ; the 
hum of business was still, and noise and tumult were unheard in 
the streets. Tranquillity pervaded the towns and country. A Sab- 
bath indeed ! when the wicked ceased from troubling, and the 
weary were at rest, and the slave was free from his master! 'I'he 
planters informed us that they went to the chapels where their own 
people were assembled, greeted them, shook hands with them, and 
exchanged the most hearty good wishes. 

The churches and chapels were thronged all over the island. At 
Cedar Hill, a Moravian station, the crowd was so great that the min- 
ister was obliged to remove the meeting from the chapel to a neigh- 
bouring grove. 

At Grace Hill, another Moravian station, the negroes went to the 
missionary on the day before the fiist of August, and begged that 
they might be allowed to have a meeting in the chapel at sunrise. 
It is the usual practice among the Moravians to hold but one sunrise 
meeting during t!ie year, and that is on the morning of Eastei ; but 
as th:i people besought very earnestly for this special favour on the 
Easter morning of their freedom, it was granted to them. 

Early in ihe morning they assembled at the chapel. For some 
time they sat in perfect silence. The missionary then proposed that 
lliey should kneel down and sing. The whole audience fell pros- 
trate upon their knees, and sung a hymn commencing with the fol- 
lowing words : 

" Now let us praise the Lord, 
With body, soul and spirit. 
Who doth such wondrous things, 
Beyond our sense and merit." 

The singing was frequently interrupted with the tears and sob- 
binii's of the melted people, until finally it was wholly arrested, and 
a tumult of emotion ovcrwhehned the congregation. 

Durii^g the day, repeated meetings were held. At eleven o'clock, 
the people assembled in vast numbers. There were at least a tliou- 
sand person* around the chapel who could not get in. For once 
the house of God sull'ered violence, and the violent look it by force. 
After all the services of the day, the people went again to the mis- 
Bionanes in a body, and petitioned to have a meeting in the even- 
ing. 

At Grace Bay, the people, all dressed in white, assembled in a 
epacious court in front of the Moravian chapel. They formed a 
procession, and walked arm in arm into the chapel. Similar scenes 
occurred at all the chapels, and at the churches also. We were told 
by the missionaries, that the dress of the negroes on that occasion, 



25 

was uncommonly simple and modest. There was not the least dis- 
position to gaiety. 

We were also informed by planters and missionaries in every 
part of the island, that there was not a single dance known of, 
either day or night, nor so much as a liddle played. There was no 
riotous assemblies, no drunken carousals. It was not in such chan- 
nels that tiie excitement of the emancipated (lowed. They were as 
far from dissipation and debauchery, as they were from violence 
and carnage. Gratitude was the absorbing emotion. From the 
hill-lops, and tlie valleys, the cry of a disinthralled people Wi.'nt 
upward, like the sound of many waters, " Glorv to God, glory to 
God." 

The militia were not called out during Christmas holidays. Fh- 
f^rc emancipation, martial law invariably prevailed on the holi- 
days, but the very first Christmas after emancipation, the Gover- 
nor made a proclamation, staling that in consequence of the aholition 
of slavery, it was no longer necessary to resort to such a precau- 
tion. 'I'liere has not been a parade of soldiery on any subsequent 
Christinas. 

" Previous to emancipation," many persons apprehended violence 
and bloodshed as the consequence of turning the slaves loose. But 
when emancipation look place, all these apprehensions vanished. 
Tne sense of personal security is universal. We know not of a 
single instance in which the negroes h ive exhibited a revcng ful 
spirit. 

R. Higinbothom, United States Consul, remarked : " The gene- 
ral conduct of the negroes has be3n worthy of much praise, es- 
pecially considering the sudden transition from slavery to unre- 
stricted freedom. Their demeanor is peaceable and orderly." 

" The Governor informed us that ' it was vniversally aihnitled, 
that emancipation had been a great blessing to the island.' 

" They are as a body, more indiislrifAis than when slaves, for the 
obvious reason that they are jvorhin^ fjr themselves,'^ 

The conduct of tlie negroes on the lirsl of August, 1834, is am- 
ple proof that gratitude is a prominent trait (f the negro charac- 
ter ; and iheir uniform conduct since that event manifests an ha- 
bitual feeling of gratitude. Said one, " The liberty we received 
from the king, we can never suniciently thank Gotl for ; whenever 
we think of it, our hearts go out in gralituJe to God." Similar ex- 
pressions we heard repeatedly from the negroes. We observed that 
the slightest allusion to the first of August, in a company of freed 
persons, would awaken powerful emotions, accompanied with ex- 
clamations of " tank de good Lord," " bless de Saviour," " praise 
de blessed Saviour," and such like. 

For a full account of the West India emancipation, see the work 
of Thome and Kimball. 



26 



CHAPTER V. 

" Whe-e there is no Law there is no Trarsgrsssion." The Bible sanctions 
Slavcrii and does not condemn purchasing or sellino .>/cJi — Communds 
every Slave to remain a Slave. 

" Yet, y<'t, degraded man, the expected day, 
TliHt brciiks your b tter cup, is far away ; 
Trade, wealth, and foshion ask you still to Meed, 
And holt mex give scuiptcue fjr the deed!" 

" Where there is no hnv there is no transo;ression." (Rom. iv. 4.) 
And ;is there is no law prohibitory of slaveliolding, it cannot l)e con- 
sidered sin, (foi sin is a tians(TiPssi-in of the hiw,) by any except 
those who aim at possessinij a hiirhcr (lesrree of moral worth and 
righteousness than Jesus Christ hitnseif," &c. 

Tiet us examine tliis text a httlc, and see whether it is proper to 
apply it so as to sanction slavery. He lells us, likewise, there is 
no hiw in the scriptures asrainst selling men. Then I infer there 
is no law in the Biiile prohibitory of a man's selling his own chil- 
dren ; consequently it would be no sin for any man, white or black, 
to sell hi- own children for money into perjietual slavery. It is not 
proliable this will be done in Pennsylvania, because the laws of the 
state prohibit it; but in Viiginia, if a while man happen to have 
children that are part black, as many slaveholders do, would it be 
no sin to Fell these children, because scripture does not gi e a spe- 
cial prohibitory law respecting it ? "O no !" replies the drctor ; 
" where thrre is no law there is ro transiiression." Un er these 
circumstances, piobably, the gentleman, as' otlier slaveholders, 
woulil not like tn sec slaves around him, who resembled their father 
60 much, a.id considering it no sin to sell them, and as keeping 
them would show ihe/e had been a violation of the sevei'.th com- 
mandmrnt, is it not probable he would sell them in order to put 
away this sin ? It is true that slaveholders do not a'l sell their dark 
childien ; 1 know of some exceptions ; for I have seen many pretty 
little mulattos, who resembled their master very much, running 
about his plantation ; and I m:ghl give an example of aslaveho'der 
at the south, well known throughout the United States, who, I am 



27 

credibly informed, has brought up his mulatto dau<rhters well, given 
th^m good educations, keeps tliem in his own parlour, and his at- 
lempteil to inlroduce ihom into good white society. Were he in 
Pennsylvnnin, it is proi)al)le he wouhl not be permitted to do so; 
but as he lives in the south, where people are not so mucli opposed 
to -unalgamation, he is not mol;'Sted in the enjoyment of his own 
taste. Perhaps these gentlemen do not understand the scriptures 
exactly as the doctor does, and are conscientiously scruindous 
about selling them, for fear it is a sin ; and others, rather than disobey 
the scriptnies, (rightaous men !) they keep their natural, colored chil- 
dren, and have them whipt up the same as other slaves, to have it 
supposed they have no allection for them, and consequenUy cannot 
be their fathers. 

Again, ac<ording to Dr. S., as there is no law in the Bible 
against selling men, tliere can be none against selling women ; 
hence anj" unprincipled fellow may marry a black woman in a free 
state, take her to the south and sell her, and it is no transgression, 
no sin! Admirable doc'rine! liow divine! 

We will now exnmine Iiisconstructi' n of this other text, and seeif it 
sanctions slavery. It is as follows : " He thatstea'cihamanand selleth 
him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be putto death." Ex. 
xxi. 16. The doctor says it does not read, ' he that^t^aleth or selleth.' 
The whole and only crime condenmcd here ivas stealins[ the man." 
Let us take the text as it is, ami see what we can make out of it. 
When this law was given by Moses, there were of course no slaves in 
Israel ; the question is, how could they come in possession of them ? 
There was no way except to steal them, or buy them of those who 
had stolen them. First, the law says, he that stealeth a man and 
selleth him, " shall surely be pvit to death.'' Then none could be 
sold: Second, he that stealeth a man, and hath him found in his 
hand, shall surely be put to death. Then none could be kept by 
him that had stolen him. Consequently, if a man perchance had 
been stolen, he could not be sold, and could not be kept. There- 
foio, how could he be held as a slave ? It strikes me, that this was 
the most effectual anti-slavery law that it was j.ossible to devise ; 
there was no way of getting round it. Prevention is always better 
than cure, and this elFectually prevented it. What would be the 
necessity of passing a law to prohibit the eating of stolen fruit; if 



28 

there was a law to prevent stealing it, and aelling it, and having in 
hand? But the Doctor says : 

" Whpii we read of individuals having been sold, having been 
purchased, having been bought with money, <fcc., we cannot doubt 
for a moment, tlie propriety of the term slave ; and that no mat- 
ter whether tiseir servitude was temporaiy or forever, whelher they 
had sold tliemselves or were sold by others, they were slaves to all 
intents and purposes, from the moment they were sold they became 
subject to involuntary servitude." 

According to this doctrine, the man who sells his time, or 
hires in any employment for a year, is a slave ; every appren- 
tice, whose time is sold for a term of years to his master, 
for and in consideration of a trade, is a slave. Oh, but says the 
Doctor, if these persons are ill-treated or abused, they can leave 
their masters ! I reply, so could the bondmen spoken of in scrip- 
ture, and were protected effeclually from their masler'.-s obtaining 
them again, by the following law, " Thou shall not deliver 
unto his master, the servant which has escaped from his mas- 
ter unio thee. He shall dwell witii thee, even among you in that 
place which he shall choose, in one of thy gates where it liketh 
him best; thou shall not oppress him." Dent, xxiii. c. 15, 16 v. 
Under this law, no slaveholder in the south could hold his slaves 
for a single day ! As soon as they should escape from their mas- 
ter's plantation, they would be Iree ! They would not then liave 
to present their written pass, but none would dare molest them ; 
and they could " dwell where it liketh them best." 

But notwithstanding these prohibiliwus of slavery, lest some 
should clandestinely and unlawfully hold men in involuntary servi- 
tude, :.nd entail it on tlieu posterity, all bondmen were commanded 
to be set free — so that there should be no deception, no mistake; 
by the following general law, " And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, 
and proclaim liberty lliioughout all the land, unto all the inhabi- 
tants thereof; it shall be a jubilee unto you ; and ye shall return every 
man unto his family." Lev. xxv. It is plain from the above texts, 
that slavery could not have existed according to the laws of the Bible, 
and that the bondmen, spoken of in the striptures, were voluntary 
servants. All the above laws prevented and guarded against slavery. 
But even admiting that contrary to these laws slaves were held, or 
call the bondmen slaves if you please, and what is the consequence ? 



It we go according to the Bible, (" and to its authority we ought 
always to consent to stiike,") we must admit, that as we have existed 
as a nation sixty-two years, the slaves should have been set free 
twelve years ago ; and that we are indebted to them for twelve 
years' labour ; which, at the moderate calculation of twenty dollars 
a head per year, (exclusive of their keeping,) amounts to about six 
hundred millions, which, (setting aside the justice or injustice of 
retaining their pay from them for fifty years previous, j we are 
scriplurally bound to pay, and immediafely to emancipate them. 

But our author has gone to the N,w Testament, also, to try to 
get some excuse for slavery ; and had he merely quoted it as it is, 
it would liave been unnecessary to comment upon it; but in every 
one of tliese quotations, where th'> word servant occurs in the text, 
he has made it slave. He pretends, the original word doulos in the 
Greek, which is invariably rendered servant in English, means 
slave as well as servant. So far a" my information goes, the Doc- 
tor is incorrect in this particular ; but without citing any learned au- 
thorities, I think the absurdity of his version will be seen from the 
scriptures themselves. The following, among the Doctor's quota- 
tions, are the most suitable for his purpose, at least according to his 
way of rendering them : "Art thou called, being a slave, care not 
for it " 1 Cor. vii, 21. " i:laves be obedient to those that are your 
masters according to the Jlesh.'^ Eph. vi. 5. '* Slaves obey in 
all things your masters." Col. iii. 22. The Doctor knew veiy 
well, that to qunle these texts with the word servant, would not 
answer his purpose ; he therefore converted it into slave. If he pre- 
fers this translation, he is welcome to it; but in the mean time I 
will quote a iew passages, which have the word servant, and the 
same original, (doulos,) in the Greek. 1 Cor. vii. 23 : " Ye are 
bought with a price, be not ye the slaves (servants) of men." This 
is contained in the same chapter with one of the Doctor's quota- 
tions, and it is addressed to the very same persons, consequently, 
if servant means slave, here there is a positive prohibition of sla- 
very. In Philippians i. 1, we have as follows : " Paul and Timo- 
theus, slaves (servants) of Jesus Christ," &c. Again, Romans i. 1, 
" Paul a slave, (servant) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, 
separated unto the gospel of God." Then, according to the Doc- 
tor, St. Paul and Timotheus were slaves, and the Saviour a slave- 

5 



30 

holder. The Bible sanction slavery ! What folly \ what wilful 
blindness ! Avhat perversion will not men be guilty of, to cloak 
highhanded sin against God and man ! 



CHAPTER VL 



Happiness of the Slaves. Fatal objection to Abolitionism. 

We are told by Doctor Sleigh, " the very persons (the slaves) 
whom we feed, clothe, instruct, &c., thus enjoy more comfort and 
happiness, than nine-tenths of the labouring class of white free 
persons in Europe !" 

I presume he has drawn his conclusions from the representations 
of slaveholders, or from a few fortunate cases in the vicinity of the 
free states ; for certainly, his observations must have been very im- 
perfect and partial indeed, if they were made in the southern or 
south-western states. I recollect, from the first superficial glance 
of slavery I had, in some parts of Maryland and Kentucky, I was 
hiclined to think the horrors of slavery had been magnified, for 
many of the slaves were apparently contented. But this is easily 
accounted for ; the conduct of masters here is so much exposed to 
observation of people of the free states, that it operates as a great 
check upon the bad treatment of slaves. The circumstances of these 
and the more southern states are also so different, that there is not 
60 much temptation to bad usage ; besides, they know it is much 
easier for the slaves to get olT, when they are held near the free 
stales, than when in the far south. Virginia, Maryland and Ken- 
tucky is the principal stock-raising country of slaves; from these 
states chiefly are driven to market the annual supplies for the south 
and south-west, to stock new plantations. The cultivation of to- 
bacco, corn and wheat in these slates is comparatively easy, and 
does not give such chance for hard driving, as the sugar and cotton 
cultivation in the south and south-west ; and those which are in- 
tended for market, arc fed and clothed tolerably well. But even in 
these mild slates, on investigating the subject, so far as I could as- 
certain, the slaves wfere anxious to be free, and would have given 
worlds for liberty ! The moment freedom was hinted to them, 
tears started in their eyes, and they could scarcely give utterance to 



31 

their emotions. They pine for liberty, and think it a hard case to 
be doomed to perpetual slavery. If these are the sentiments and 
feelings of those under the mildest treatment, what must be the feel- 
ings of those who receive such treatment as the generality do in the 
far soiith and west, where they have stinted allowances of the poor- 
est food and clothing, and are treated worse than brutes ? This I 
speak from a personal knowledge of facts. In Mississippi and 
Louisiana, on the cotton and sugar plantations, they are a part of 
the year worked from daylight, with very little intermission, till 
nine o'clock at night undor tlie lash ; and after working all the week 
they are frequently made to butciier or do other work on Sundays. 
These things, however, are almost too trifling to mention, when 
compared with the many outrageous abuses to which ihey are con- 
stantly subjected. It would be impossible to describe them in a 
few pages. I know there are some kind masters, but most of them 
are not. There seems to be something in the very nature of sla- 
very, that induces a tyrannical, overbearing and unfeeling dispo- 
sition towards the slave ; he is considered property over which they 
have unlimited control ; they may abuse him to any extent, and 
even kill him with impunity. I Avill give one example. A hungry 
slave, without leave, killed a pig belonging to the same plantation 
with himself; the master had him stripped naked, staked down ac- 
cording to custom, that is, slakes driven in the ground so as to lock 
over his neck, legs and arms, then whipped him till he was tired, 
then took his knife and cut a ring round from the shoulders to the 
hips, and told his overseer to whip the skin all out of the space 
Avithin tlie ring before he should quit. In vain did the slave plead 
in extenuation of his crime of killing the pig, that hunger impelled 
him to it, and that he would never again do any thing to oflend his 
master ! Before the overseer's task was finished, the gush of blood 
and cries ceased, and the slave expired ! A hole was dug for the 
purpose, the body thrown in and covered, and that was the last of 
it ! Nothing was done about the murder, — the master was not even 
turned out of church, of which he was a member, and did not ap- 
pear to be disrespected by his neighbours on account of it. From 
my knowledge of the character of this gentleman, and also of the 
clergyman residing in the neighbourhood, who related to ma the 



32 

case, being also a slaveholder, I had no reason to doubt the circum- 
Btances were literally true. 

I do not know that such instances are common, yet they some- 
times occur, and go to show how little the life of a slave is regard- 
ed when their masters get in a passion. Numerous other facts might 
be mentioned, to prove not only that the slaves are unhappy, have 
generally hard usage and cruel treatment, but also to illustrate the 
debasing effect which slavery has on slaveholders, by giving them 
power to exercise the worst passions to an unlimited extent. In 
Louisiana (perhap.s in other states) it is death to a slave to strike or 
draw blood in anger from a white man, no matter what the provoca- 
tion or abuse ! I saw one hung in New Orleans, not for killing, but 
inflicting a wound, in self-defence, on a white man ; I have seen 
others beaten with clubs, and dragged to prison by ruffians, where 
they were again cruelly whipt, for no other offence than that they did 
not cringe as doggedly before them, as it was supposed comported 
with the fancied dignity of these worthless dregs of white society. 

It would be endless to go into all the abuses practised upon the 
slaves, the perplexities, irritations and cruelties, to which they are 
obliged to submit ; every one knows that husbands and wives, chil- 
dren and parents are liable everyday to be separated and sold; 
nothing is their own ; and even if it were true that they have 
enough to eat and to wear, and were not shamefully whipped, what 
is life in slavery ? Is it no abuse to rob a man of liberty, smother 
his immortal mind in darkness, and degrade him to tlie level of a 
brute? Enough has been said on this point. The precepts of the 
bleftsed Saviour, the good and great of all nations unanimously de- 
clare, that slavery is an outrageous, inhuman monstrosity ! Then 
who, with a spark of reason, can unblushingly defend it, and affirm 
that it makes men happy ! ! ! 

" There is one more fatal objection to the abolition system, viz. 
That its whole aim is the removal of the efftcl and not the cause ! 
That slavery is the caute of much evil, 1 do not pretend to deny ; 
but then slavery itself is only an effect. Abolitionism is, therefore, 
unphilosophical, absurd, fallacious and inefficacious. For example, 
a person gets a splinter of wood into liis finger, the finger inllames, 
the arm inflames, the whole body inflames — delirium or lock-jaw 
supervenes, and death closes the scene." 

Now, previouB to the close of the pcene, when the whole body 



33 

is iuflamed, delirium or lock-jaw has supervened ; the Doctor, in or- 
der to save the life of the patient, would rest his hopes on pulling 
out the splinter. It would be uncourteous to question the profes- 
sional skill of a " Professor of Surgery," and a " F. R. C. S. L. 
&c. <fec. &c.," but he who, at this stage of the disease, would under- 
take to save the life of the patient by simply pulling out the splin- 
ter, could have no great fund of surgical knowledge. Every scien- 
tific surgeon or physician knows, that to sive the patient when the 
inflammation has proceeded 1 1 s^uch a dr.ngerous extent as to have in- 
volved the whole system, when delirium and lock-jaw are about to 
take place, that notliing but the most prompt and decisive remedial 
agents, applied so as to act upon the whole system, could have any 
chance of success. It would be right to pull out the splinter, but 
the idea of curing by this alone would be ridiculous. The splinter 
is the slave trade, or cause ; the inflammation, slaveholJing, or 
effect. The splinter lemained in the United States tdl it produced 
extensive inflammation, and was then extracted ('by the abolition of 
the slave trade,) but the inflammation hns still gone on, till it has 
involved the whole system, and well-nigh produced lock-jaw. How 
now shall we save this system from impending ruin ? Wdl it be by 
setting at the bedside of tlie patient, and guarding against splinters ? 
Or must it not be by admini.-teringpoweiful antiphlogistics to sub- 
due the inflammation, and prompt antispasmodics, to throw oft' the 
lock-Jaw ? Had the splinter been early extracted, nothing more 
would have Lean necessary to allay the inflammation than the 
application of a topical remedy : so, had the slave trade been abo- 
lished before slavery had implicated some of the vital organs, the 
spontaneous eff'orts of nature might have eradicated it ; but now, 
when the inflammation 's so extended, and rapidly gaining the as- 
cendancy over t!ie patient, he, furious and raving, and beginning to 
fancy his best friends his worst enemies, something more effectual 
must be done than merely pulling out the splinter ; if it be not, 
we shall find to our eorrow that not only delirium, and lock-jaw, 
but death will supeivene ! 



34 
CHAP'J'EK VII. 

Education and .MoralJiv of the Slaves. Sentiments of Slaveholders. Conclusion. 

A FEW remarks on the education and morality of slaves, and the 
sentiments of slaveholders, will conclude our leview and exposi- 
tion. Towards the conclusion of Dr. Sleigli's pamphlet, he has 
given us reports of the flourishiuij slate of education and religion in 
some paiticular localities of the south, signed TrutJi, New England 
Man, &;•.. ; but most probably written by slaveholders. However, 
for the sake of argument, we will allow them to be tiue. Then 
Avhal do they prove ? 

He brings them forward to prove the " calumny circulated re- 
specting the state of ignorance and irreligion in which all the slave- 
holders keep their slaves, is as great a falsehood as was ever uttered 
by man or devils." If they prove any thing, I should think it 
would be the reverse of what lie has told us in tlic first part of liis 
pamphlet, viz., " That as far as mental incapability, the slaves are 
as incapalde of taking care of themselves as lunatics." The doctor 
seems to have obtained the above information after the first part of 
his book had been stereotyped, for it will be recollected that he 
there avowed his reason " for not advocating the immediate eman- 
cipation of the slaves," to be " their mental inabilities to take care 
of themselves." I suppose, after receiviniv this intelligence of the 
learning and morality of the slaves, lie lias of course become an abo- 
litionist ; and the abolitionists may now calculate on his " powerful 
aid," in the promotion of tlicir cause. Indeed, it would seem that 
his sentiments, when he wrote this part of his hook, had under- 
gone an entire change ; for in the first pari of his woik he advo- 
cated slavery with such eloquence, as almost to induce poojile to 
fall in love with it ; in the latter part, he gives the testimony of 
about a dozen slaveholders against slavery, condemning it in xhe 
strongest terms, and expressing abolition sentiments. Tiie follow- 
ing are a few examples. IMr. Lavasseur says : 

" Happily, there is no pnrt of the civilized world, in which it is 
necessary to discuss the justice or injustice of the principle of negro 
slavery ; at the present day, every sane man agrees that it is a mon- 
strosity, and it would be altogether inaccurate, to suppose tliat there 
are in the United States, more than elsewhere, individuals sufli- 



35 

ciently scnselesa* to seek to defend it, either by their writings or 
conversation. For myself, who have traversed the twenty-four 
states of the Union, and in the course of a year have had more tlian 
one opportunity of hearing long and keen discussions upon this 
subject, I de( lare that I never have found but a single person who 
seriously defended this principle." 

Another says ; " It is shocking to human nature (hat any race of 
mankind, and their posterity sliould be sentenced to perpetual sla- 
very." And another, " that duty, honour, and interest call upon us 
to prepare the way for its removal, we must act," (fcc. 

" These," the Doctor says, " are the sentiments of men of emi- 
nent talents, citizens of the south, and slaveholders." 

If Dr. Sleigh commenced to write a book against abolitionism, 
and became convinced, after investigating the subject, that he was 
on the wrong side, I suppose it would not have done to injure the 
sale of his book by confessing his conversion; but as soon as his 
pamphlet shall have been sold, I think we may reasonably expect 
to sec another from his pen, advocating the opposite side of the 
question ; for great minds, when convinced of having been wrong, 
are prompt, to renounce and correct their errors. 

But the Doctor hopes tiie " short time consumed in writing" his 
pamphlet, " will be received by the public as a sufficient apology for 
any errors" it contains. If this be a reasonable excuse, then any 
man may write a book, bring erroneous charges against persons 
and societies, and because, forsooth, he has hurried over it, so as to 
get it out in the stage of public excitement, he must be perfectly 
excused, on the ground of doing it in so " short a time." This 
would be very much like the physician who should administer 
fatal medicine, and then ofi'er as an apology that he did )wt take 
time to ascertain it was poison ; or like the surgeon, who, in his 
haste to make a fee, should amputate the sound limb instead of the 
diseased one. Woidd the despatch with which he performed it 
excuse him, or atone for the mischief? 

The author has only to add, that he has no personal acquaintance 
with the gentleman whose work he has taken the liberty to review. 
He has made this exposition at his own suggestion, solely with the 
purpose of giving some assistance to the cause of truth ; and for its 
contents, in whatever light they may be considered, as no other 
person has had a hand in it, the writer is alone responsible. 

* Dr. S. defends it, and puts it on a par with liberty and Christianity. 



PL AN • 

For entirely (ibolishiiig the ^hnerican Anti-Slavery Society, and its AuxiliarieH, 
in II way ihat -will greatly promote the inter sis of both the Slave and Free 
States, by a Tennesseeun. 

The supeiior piosperity of free states, stnkingly demonstrates the superior ad- 
vantages of tree labour. The slave stiites, with all their advaiitiigc-s ot territory, 
of soil, of climate, and rithness of products, have a free population of hut a lit- 
tle upwards of three milliods ; while the free states have one of nearly, if not 
quite ten millions. The honest hand of free labour, has turned the cold and 
barren lands ot ]\ew England into Iruilful fields, and caused them to teem w.ih 
a wealthy, hea thy and happy populati n ; the vast wealth, improveme..ts and 
population of iSew V oik and Pennsylvania, are striking evidences ol the supe- 
rior value of fiee labour. Its value is equally attested by the equally pro-perous 
condition of Ohio ; a few years since she sprung up in a in ghtj forest ; now be- 
hold her splendid cities, her slupenduus canals, and her million inhabitants. — 
W itness hew the forests of Indiana and Michigan aie lalling before the axe of 
the tree labourer. iSee how the hand of lice labour is turning the vast prairies 
ot Illinois into fruitlul fields. All these sj.lendid facts, are so many demonstra- 
tions of the \alue of free labour; and the sjiarse population, and withering aspect 
of the slave states, speak the curse of God upon slave iaboui " Wo unto him 
that bu.ldeth his house by unrigtiteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that 
useth his neighbour's services without wages, and giveth him not lor his work." 
Jer xxii. 19. 

The immediate abolition of slavery will remedy the sinking condition of the 
slave states. A more productive system of labour will be substituted; the de- 
structive vices resulting from the slave system will be abolished; the style of 
living will be changed ; and economy will lake the pbice of e.\travagance ; the 
labourers themselves will accjuire pioperty, and thus increase the wealth of the 
country, and be able to .-upport public institutions. Labour will become reputa- 
ble, and industry will pour her vials of health and morality upon all classes of 
society. Churches and schools will be iiuiltiplied, the long- banished niechunics 
will return and rear their shops and factories all over the land ; the blighted vil- 
lages will soon grow to cities, and the wasted lands, under the hand ot free la- 
bour, will become as the garden of Eden ; turnpikes, rail-roads and canals v\ ill 
abound, and be crowded with the rich products of tlu' soil, And the south shall 
soon possess a j(Oj)ulation more dense, and rich and happy than of the north. 
Such will be the results of justice. Surely, then, immediate cinanci])ation will 
greatly increase the wealth and ha])] iiiess of the slave states. 

The system of slavery is extremely dangerous. In several of the states 
the slaves arc a majority. Several causes contiibute to increase the slave popula- 
tion beyond that of the free. One is, slaves are, contraiy to law, secretly brought 
from Africa ; another is, the ])roniiscui)Us manner in which slaves live, and in 
many instances they are bred for market just like beasts; a third is, the free in- 
habitants are placed without emjiknment, and afl'orded the means of luxurious 
living and vicious habits ; coiiseciiii ntly. they die ofl' before the slave pnj)ulation. 
Owing to these causes, the slaves are increasing vastly beyond the free people. 
This increase will si on give them such a majority, as will enable them to exter- 
minate the white population. The cruel treatment they receive, the natural love 

• It is matter of regret, that our hmits do not allow the inclusion of the whole 
of this excellent plan. However, it is suflicient for our purpose. 



37 

of liberty, will ever place them under the strongest temptations to insnnection. 
It cannot be denied, thit they hive alrMdy niiJj miuy despt-rats cSbrt? for lihsr- 
ty ; deep and dark plans have bjen laid f >r deitrnynig their m utsrs ; and som3 
of them have b>cn partially cxecutad. The musacie of helpL'?? w) ii.ni an I 
children at Southampton, stands out as an awful warning lo slaveIiolJt!is ; and 
presents, in lines of innocent bload, the dan^^r of the slave syst3m. The an- 
nual increase of slaves over all that ilie, is sixty thousand. And the incrcasa of 
that must be added every year in future ; theref >re, tha tim? is not fir distant, 
when their annual increase will hi a million. They arc now within half a mil- 
lion of boin^ c ju il t'> the entire white p >pulilion of the si ive states. Lvery on3 
capa!)le of coiintinic twenty, can see that su^-h an increase will insvitibly s3curj 
the ruin of the slave states; tlie additional power of the free stU3-i cannot lan^ 
prevent it. The num!)3r wills)jn 1)3 so great, thit thoy can a;c;o:npli3'i t'a3 work 
of slau^ht2r an 1 ruin, bsfore it will lo p)i-iilil3 to brinj aid fro.m t!i3 fi'e3 stit33. 
In several of the stati-s, th3 tIanTor is now i.ictrem^; in mmy places, th3 paapb 
live in ronstar;t apprehension of b.-inj suddenly mardercd. InJeod, an insurrec- 
tion m.iy suddenly take place, even wh3re slaves are comparativsly lew, and 
many shorkin; murders m ly be committed, which has frequently been the case. 
The dan:j('r of livjn.; anun^ slaves, tends to drive out th3 fre3 inhabitants, and 
thus incre ises t!i3 evil. Tiis desire of extending th3ir fa m;, induces slavehol- 
ders to engross the lands, and this also pioduces a decrease of the fr e population ; 
from these several causes, tlie danjijr will increase every year, until su I Jen ruin 
will di'sol.ite the land. It is not easy to conceive the deplorable condition of tiie 
slave states; they seem to feel as if they were living- U[)on a dreadful volcano, 
heavini^ beneath th^^ir feet every moment, and leady to overwhehu them in inter- 
minable ruin. Every attempt to discuss the su!>J3it of slavery cjivcsthem alarm ; 
lest the slave shoiilil learn h's rights, and be insti.?ated t j insurrection ; and every 
public cirjrt to abolish tiie .system inikcs them frantic. They arc like the pa- 
tient who has abandoned the hope of life, and views medicine as only calcuialci 
to shorten his hours, and therefore desires to be let alon3 to breathe as lon^ as h3 
can. They seem as if they viewed the hour of remedy past, and desire to b3 let 
alone, lest the remedy, instead of giving; relief, should shorten theii- hours. Li!ve 
infuriate. 1 devils, they cry, let us alone, — "Art t'.iou come to torment us bsfjre 
the time." The present agitation of the slave slates strikingly rcsemljles th3 
madness of despair; it is unieasona!'! ■ in liie extreme. Tlierc is yet a remedy 
for their ruined condition, and one tliat is both safe and practicable. If they will 
but abolish immediately the entire system of slavery, the danger will at once b3 
over. The increase of the coloued jiojiulation, resuhin^ f.om slavery, will f)r- 
cver cease ; no nioie will be brought from Alrica; no more will be bred for n:ar- 
ket; their increase will be by the regular laws of marriage, and, of course, will 
not exceed that of the while people, vvlio will soon assum3 temperate, moral 
and industrious habits; the result of which will b3 health, long lif;, and a nume- 
rous ortspring Besides all tiiis, the causes that now prevent the settlemsnt of 
the industiious and virtuous classes of the white people will cease, and the influ- 
ence of such will be great. The south, as before stated, is capable of sustaining 
a denser population than the north ; nothing but slavery now prevents it. Uut 
for tins, there would be stronger inducements to settle in those milder and more 
productive regions. There is yet room in the slave states and territory, for a 
white population of more than thirty millions. Among such a population as 
would soon How to the south, the coloured people would scarcely be felt. 

If our southern, brethren ivould calm down a little, and looh at this plan of 
abolishing the American Anti-Slavery Society, and all its auxiliaries, they xuill 
tee that it is not only safe and practicable, but luill vastly enrich the slavs stales; 
they Toill perceive that their land^ -vill increase in value, equal to the present 

6 



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33 

■worth of their slaves ; and -whole states -will be saved from a dreadftd ruin. Jill 
this is not mere theory ; it is matter of actual experiment. It has been tested un- 
der far more disadvantageous circumstances. In Antigua, -where the slaves 
-were fifteen to every -white person, and -where -we may reasonably conclude they 
■were more degraded than the generality of slaves in the United States, they 
were all liberated in a single day. The residt -was peace and freedom from dan- 
ger ; the armed force necessary to keep them from insurrection -when in slavery, 
is no-w disbanded ; and as the danger of living on the island has passed a-way, 
the lands have greatly increased in value. The planters no-w say, that -what the 
Sritish government gave them for their slaves, -was a gratuity ; and that their 
circumstances have been so much better, that they -would not change hack again 
to slavery, for any consideration, ho-wever great. A similar experiment has been 
tnade i?i Bermuda, -with equal success. The American slave states afford much 
greater facilities for S7ich a change, as the number of slaves is not so great in 
proportion to the free people ; and besides this, there is room for a vast increase 
of-wliitepolndation, and the contiguity of the f'ee states, so densely populated, 
■woidd afford the means of soon filling it. This plan -will suit -well those -who are 
in favour of colonizing the coloured people, If'hen all the anti-slavery societies 
are abolished, there -will be no formidable opposition to colonization, unless the 
planters should combine to oppose carrying so many labourers from the country, 
lest the price of labour should rise. From this source, there may be still danger 
of strenuous opposition; but then, colonizutionists -will have the consolation of 
kno-wing, that their labours are no longer needed. 

This plan of abolishing all the antl-slaverj- societies, will be greatly to the in- 
terest of the free states. 

1st. Slavery exists in the Di.slricl of Culuiiiliia and in the territory of Florida, under laws 
made by congress. The !;eneral covernmenl is bound liy the constitution, to protect every 
Blaie from foreign invasion and domestic insurrection. Hence the lives and property of tho 
people of the fr-ee states are pledged for the suppression of slave insurrections. The foreign 
slave trade was long carried on under the general government, and the domestic slave trade 
still exists in all its horrors; and under it have e.\isted slave territories that have now become 
slave Slates. In all these respects, the free states lie under the sin and disgrace of slavery. 
The immediate and entire abolition of slaverj' would relieve them from this sin and disgrace 
of a system of the most barbarous cruelty. This would be greatly to their interest. 

2nd. Cruel and oppressive laws are enacted by the slave states, to drive out f.om among 
iheir slaves all that benevolent persons have liberated from slavery. As many as three hun- 
dred and fifty of the most degraded slaves of old Virginia were liberated, ami at once driven 
to the stale of Ohio. \\ hile the principles of Christianity, and even common humanity re- 
quire us to allow such objects of oppnssinn an asylum amongst us, it must be admitted, that 
an ignorant and degraded jxipulation of any sort, while or black, is a great disadvantage. And 
while ever slavery exists, such a population will be thrown tipon the free slates. Njw, if sla- 
very were abolished, this tend ncy to drive out the coloured people would ceasj; driving 
them out would then increase the price of labour, and would be contrary tt) the i.nteresta of 
planters and men of business. It is now their in erest to drive out the free people of colour, it 
would then be their interest to rrtain them, in order t.> keep down the price of labour ; and as 
the products of the .south are more valuable than those of the north, they will be able to give 
better wages ; and this, together with the love of kindred, will not only reutin tho coloured 
people i\ow there, but will induce many to leave i he present free states and go to the south. 
Such will be the certain result of the immediate and entire abolition of slavery ; and they 
would soon 1)6 eilucated, and become an enli';htened people, and a benefit to society, whether 
Ihey might reside, in the north or south. This would be greatly to the interest of the free 
auies; the coloured people would cease to come to the free stales, and if they should coin* 
it would b«« In an educated state, o; course no disadvantage to society. 



39 

3d. The aboHlion of slavery would soon give to ihe south as dense a population as the nonh. 
This would vastly increase the trade of the free states, of course extend all kinds of business, 
and thus promote the interests of all classes of society. The day-labourer will find his wages 
increased, the farmer will get a better price f.ir his prcxluce, the mechanic will get more profi- 
table and prompt returns for his labour, and the merchant will be enabled to do a surer and a 
more extensive business ; men of tne learned professions will, of course, find a belter support. 
These will be the certain results of the immediate abolition of the slave system, and they will 
be greatly to the interest of the free states. 'J he notion that many labouring men entertain, 
that the abolition of slavery will lower the price of labour, and thus render them unable to 
support their families, is entirely without foundation. By extending agriculture, manufacto- 
ries, and public improvements, it will greatly increase the demand for labour, and wiil make 
room for employing thousands of mechanics and day-labourers; the compelling nf two mil- 
lions and a half of people to work without >■ ages, must ever be against the labouring classes; 
and besides this, slavery attaches disgrace to lalxiur, and thus tends to distress and degrade 
the lalxiuring yan of the community. Who does not see that by many, labouring people are 
despised ; the fact that a man is a farmer, a mechanic, or a day- abourer, is sufli lent lo ex- 
clu.le him from some circles of society. '1 his is the spirit of slavery transplanted into the free 
states; the alwlition of slavery will lend to abolish this detestable spirit of pride, and will 
elevate the labouring classes cf society. There should be no degraded classes. The honest 
and industrious, however [xwr, should always be highly esteemed. 

The labouring classes, above all others, will find il their interest to promote the abolition of 
slavery. 

It is said by some, that if the slaves were set free, they would work fir lower wages than 
white men do, and that they would bring down the price of laliour ; but such should remem- 
ber that they now work for nol ling, and surely that is much more, than even low wages, cal- 
culated to lower the price of l.-ibour. When the abolition of .slavery takes pl.iC»>, the Cul ured 
people themselves will consume nuirh more provision and clothing th.in they now do, and this 
itself will increase the business of the nonh, and enable farmers and manufacturers to givo 
better wages. This forms a good argument on the ground of interest, agaiiust the coloured 
people f aim the country. The si m'h could not, at present, be cultivated with «ut them ; and 
tliey themselves, by their own cnnsimiption, will greatly increase the business and wealth of 
the present free slates. I<el the lali.iuring classes examine well this point of inieregi, and they 
will here, as in every other cas^, find true interest and justice combined. It will be greatly 
lo our interest lo do justice to the coloured people. 

4th. The system of slavery will sixin exhaust the wealth of the free states. The increase of 
the slaves, will soon make it necessary to station soldiers in almost every neighbourhood 
ihr jughout the slave stales, to keep down insurrection. An editor in Pennsylvania has already 
begun 10 advocate the increase of the United Stales soldiers in South Carolina for this purpose. 
The time is just at hand, when the free stales must not only bear their pan of the expense of 
supporting such military forces ; but they must send their sons to st;ind guard over slaves. If 
they cannot be enlisted, they must be drafted. The general government is bound by the con- 
stitution, to protect every state against domestic insurrection. The British government, pre- 
vious to the act of emancipation, had to keep standing forces in the West Indies, to prevent 
the insurrection of slaves. Such mustS'wn be our condition. Keeping up such military forces 
will soon exhaiLSt the wealth, oppress the sons of the free stales, and cornjpt their morals, and 
endanger their liljerties; such will ullimUely be the result of the slave system. Certainly 
then, the abolition of slavery will be greatly lo the interest of the free states. 

5lh. The system of slavery weakens ihe nation, and endangers its liberties. 

In time of war, the slave stales will not be able to do much more than guard their slaves. 
Consequently, the burden of defending the country must devolve upon the free states ; in ad- 
dition lo this, ihe slaves will be under the strongest temptation to join the enemy. Should 
a powerful nation, such as the British or French, invade us, they might ofTer the slaves both 
liberty and ihe property of the country, as inducements lo join them. And in this way they 
might organize, in our own country, an army of four hundred thousand men, inured to hard- 
ships, and able lo endure the fatigues of warfare— and ihey could support ihem on the spoils 



40 

taken ; and thus they might overrun, and ruin the nation. Slavery puts the vfealth, the live* 
and the liberties of the free, as well as llie slave stales, in the power of f )reien nations. The 
al/'litiim of slavery would, in this r spect, promote the highest interests f the free, as •• tU as 
of ihe slave stales. If the slaves were liberated, they would acquire families and prupeny tnal 
Ihey could call irieir own. Th>»y would be pr l^cied hy equitable laws, and iheref >re would 
feel ii their inieresi to defend the country And hence ihe s mih would become equal to the 
n irth, in ihe means of self-defence. This would be greatly to the interest of the states. 

Add to tiiese, the domineering spirit of slavery, that threatens the nation with a cruel despo- 
tism, woul I be driven from the land; and civil ami religious liberty would be ejctended to 
bless all naions, and would descend to the latest generations. 

Hjre then is a plan, safe and constitutional, by -which all the anti-sJavery so- 
cieties in the Union can be forever abolished, and greatly to the ijiterest oj both 
the slave and free states. To this Jilan, there can be no just objection ; even 
abol tionists themselves, could nut ivjll oppose such a plan for abolishing their 
societies. J^Pt all, tlien, -who desire the abolition of anti-slavery societies. Join in 
this 1 1. in, and success tv^ll be certain. Peace and lib.r y w'll return to bless our 
distracted nation ; and her morality, happiness, and her fame shall increase a 
thonsa?id fold. But if slavery he not abolished, it -will increase the coloured 
people and destroy the -white Jieofde, iintil it -will ruin the nation. The c, loured 
pofmlation is no-w but one-si.tth part of the nation, and no-w Iberated, ivill never 
become a greater firofmrtion ; and consequently, -will never be able to do mate- 
rial inju"y. Tliere -will alivayi be am/ile fioioer in the nation to ffovei n them. 
Sut if slax'ery be continued, it -ivill give them such a proportion, as must sooner 
or later terminate in i~uin. ..According- to thfir present ratio of increase, they 
■will be thirteen millions b'fore the f/resent century ivill terminate. To hold such 
a body ofpeofde in slavery ivill be imftossihle ; they ivill crtainly, i/not Uberc- 
ted, one day exterminate the Jree pofmlation of the slave states, and perhaft 
ruin the free states. J\'oie Ihere is less danger iti liberating them, than er-er -i-ll 
be again. J\i'oiv, there is fioivcr in the south to liberate them safely, and to the 
belt interests of the nati'-n. Let all, then, consult the general good, and unite 
cheerfully in tliis work of Justice and tnercy. 



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